STAR-DUST 


GATHERED    15  Y 


A.  Z  I  L  E 


"  0  ye  stars  of  heaven  !  bless  ye  the  Lord  ;  praise  Him  and  m.-ignify  Him  fo 
ever." 


NEW- YORK : 
j\.  ix  w  <  >  ]sr    T>  .    IF1 .    i  i  ;\  N  i  >  o  r,  3?  ii 

f.  8,°,     I!  110  A  I)  WAY. 

I  «00. 


ENTERED,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1SSO,  by 
Miss  E.  R.  MONTGOMERY, 

in  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States  for  the 
Southern  District  of  New-York. 


C  0  N  T  E  N  T  S 


STARS, 5 

A  STARRY  LESSON, n 

WAS  IT  A  DREAM? 21 

STAR-GLEANINGS.     No.  1,      .                 .  81 

STAR-GLEANINGS.     No.  2,           .  37 

A  STAR-THOUGHT,          ...  41 

ANOTHER  STAR-THOUGHT, 45 

A  VOICE  FROM  THE  STARS,    .....  4g 

A  STARRY  WHISPER, 51 

FALLEN  STAR,       .... 


t<   nrt   A    71      T\  TT  p   m 
O    X  .A  Ju  "  jJ    U    h    JL  . 


STARS. 

BRIGHT  stars,  that  are  gleaming 

Up  in  sky  so  blue, 
Ere  I  fall  to  dreaming, 

I  must  peep  at  you. 

As  a  sudden  smiling 
Lights  a  face  of  gloom, 

So  your  pleasant  shining 
Gilds  my  little  room. 

It  is  just  in  keeping 

With  my  thoughts  to-night; 
I  can  leave  my  sleeping 

liather  than  vour  siu;ht. 


STAR-DUST. 

Hidden  in  your  gleaming, 
Trembling  in  your  rays, 

Is  a  deeper  meaning 

Than  first  meets  our  gaze. 

Nightly  am  I  learning, 

From  your  golden  speech, 

From  your  constant  burning, 
Truths  I  long  to  teach. 

Much  the  heart  feels  ever, 
Which  the  lips  conceal ; 

Spirit-converse  never 
Can  the  tongue  reveal. 

Else  what  thrilling  stories 
Would  mine  own  no\v  sing 

Of  the  mystic  glories 
Ye  are  whispering. 


STAIl-DUST. 

Would  I  could  tell  only 

What  ye  are  to  me  ; 
1  am  never  lonely 

With  such  friends  as  ye. 

Would  I  could  send  only 
Some  stray  rajrs  of  light 

To  some  heart  more  lonely 
Than  mine  own  to-night. 

Those  that  whisper  ever  : 
Lustrous  though  we  are, 

We  can  rival  never, 

The  bright  "  MORNING  STAR." 

Dull  our  clearest  beaming  ! 

Purest  light  how  dim  ! 
Dark  seems  all  our  gleaming 

When  compared  to  Ilirn. 


STAR-DUST. 

Though  our  nightly  glimmer 
Makes  earth's  dimness  less, 

What  our  feeble  shimmer 
To  His  power  to  bless  ? 

We  but  clay  can  lighten  ; 

He  illumes  the  soul ; 
Darkest  minds  will  brighten 

'Neath  His  blest  control. 

Hearts  that  knew  but  anguish, 
Think  not  to  be  sad ; 

Hopes  that  long  did  languish 
Spring  up  strong  and  glad 

'.Neath  His  blessed  shining. 

For  his  mellow  glow 
Gives  a  "silver  lining" 

To  each  cloud  of  woe. 


STAR. DUST. 

Ye,  who  wander  weary, 
In  a  path-way  dim  ; 

Sinful,  sick,  and  weary, 
Turn,  oh  !  turn  to  Him  ! 

Ye,  who  seek  for  pleasure 
Where  no  comforts  are, 

Seek  the  only  treasure — 
The  pure  Corning  Star. 

Send  I  this  thought  only 
From  the  stars  to-night, 

AVill  some  heart  mow  lonely 
Catch  the  ray  of  light? 

Let  us  all  be  learning 

Stars  shine  not  for  naught 

Nightly  heed  their  burning. 
Love  them  as  we  ought. 


10  STAR-DUST. 

Amid  my  simple  praying, 
Which  much  of  evil  mars, 

Breathes  e'er  one  fervent  saying, 
/  bless  God  for  the  stars. 


A    STARRY    LESSON. 

THEE  to  the  stars  I  send ; 

Gaze  on  them  as  they  burn  ; 
And  tell  me,  tell  me,  friend, 

Canst  thou  no  lesson  learn  ? 

Oh!  raise  thy  glance  on  high  ; 

Behold  the  looks  of  light 
Clear  falling  from  each  eye 

Of  star,  so  silver  bright. 

I  bid  thee  read  within 

This  steady  light,  and  clear, 

The  lesson  taught  by  Him 

Who  made  each  shining  sphere. 


12  STAR-DUST. 

They  look  this  wide  earth  o'er ; 

Thus  ever — ever  thus 
They  gaze  on  sea,  on  shore, 

As  now  they  look  on  us. 

The  waters  earth  doth  keep, 
Not  one  of  all  forgot ; 

Each  lake,  and  ocean  deep, 
Doth  hold  some  shining  spot. 

So  when  within  a  lake 
Some  little  star  doth  look, 

It  finds  its  glance  doth  make 
Its  image  in  the  brook. 

Its  beauty  is  displayed 
As  well  by  ripples  clear, 

As  by  the  deep,  blue  shade 
Of  its  own  native  sphere. 


STAB- DUST. 

Methinks  that  twinkle  bright, 

Betokens  grateful  glee  ; 
It  trembles  with  delight, 

Its  image  true  to  see. 

In  this  pray  what  are  we 

Bat  stars,  though  not  as  bright? 
Who  if  we  can  but  see 

Clear  through  some  eye  of  light, 

Clear  through  down  to  the  heart, 
Whose  channel  is  the  eye  • 

Joy  will  the  glance  impart, 
If  we  can  there  espy 

Our  image  perfect  made, 

Both  understood  and  known  ; 
Our  feelings  all  displayed, 

And  cared  for  as  its  own. 
1* 


13 


14  STAR-DUST. 

In  this  each  is  a  star  ; 

JSTow  let  us  gaze  and  learn 
If  in  aught  else  we  are 

Stars  that  so  brightly  burn. 

We'll  take  that  self-same  star 
That  gazed  within  the  brook ; 

Its  glance  now  spreading  far 
Adown  the  deep  to  look. 

The  ocean  is  not  calm ; 

Wave  over  wave  doth  leap ; 
Oh !  can  it  safe  from  harm 

The  starry  image  keep  ? 

The  billows  rise  and  swell ; 

They  dash  against  the  shore. 
Oh !  who  the  fate  can  tell 

Of  star  that  looketh  o'er  ? 


S  T  A  R  - 1)  U  S  T  .  ]5 

With  raging  foam  they  rise 
Beneath  high  Heaven's  brow  ; 

O  star  of  yonder  skies  ! 

Where  is  thine  image  now  ? 

A  few  distorted  gleams 

Shine  o'er  the  waves  afar ; 
But  naught  is  there  that  seems 

Like  yonder  beaming  star. 

And  could  none  gaze  above, 

But  on  the  deep  to  see 
How  stars  look  down  in  love, 

Oh !  how  deceived  we'd  be  ! 

We'd  whisper  by  the  tide  : 

Gleams,  tell  us  what  ye  are ; 
But  restless  waves  would  hide 

The  imasre  of  the  star. 


ST  A  R-DUS  T. 

Thus  causing  asking  mind 
An  impress  wrong  to  hold, 

Like  false  tale  leaves  behind 
A  stain  of  whom  'tis  told. 

• 
How  looketh  that  star  now  ? 

Broken  its  image  lies ! 
Yet  with  a  calm,  pure  brow, 
It  beams  in  yonder  skies. 

Yes,  it  as  bright  and  still 
Looks  on  the  ocean  deep, 

As  on  the  little  rill 
That  doth  its  likeness  keep. 

'Tis  true  the  star  may  mourn, 
The  ocean's  sin  deplore. 

But  still  it  gazes  on 
High,  holy  as  before  ! 


STAR. DUST.  17 

Can  we  no  lesson  learn  ? 

In  this  are  we  stars  too  ? 
When  we  can  thus  discern 

Ourselves  pictured  untrue  ? 

Do  we,  gaze  still  the  same, 

Perchance  with  look  of  scorn, 

Disdaining  to  draw  nigh 
And  say  'tis  falsely  drawn  ? 

Disdaining  words  to  hold, 

Or  aught  of  vengeance  take 
On  those  who  with  false  mold 

Seek  impress  wrong  to  make  ? 

When  waves  of  malice  leap, 

And  foam  with  slander's  tongue, 

And  we  see  in  the  deep 
Our  broken  imasce  fluncr — 


18  STAR-DUST. 

Do  we  gaze  still  the  same 
On  raging  seas  below, 

That  wildly  "foam  their  shame," 
And  scarce  can  harm  us  so  ? 

For  waves  can't  reach  a  star  ! 

Nor  have  they  power  to  take 
Its  image  from,  or  mar 

Its  shining  in  the  lake. 

Go,  be  a  /Star,  my  friend, 

Nor  thus  of  vengeance  speak. 

And  let  thy  light  descend, 
Of  pardon  pure  and  meek. 

Thy  self-respect  retain, 
Whate'er  thy  foes  may  do. 

The  deed  thy  scorn  should  gain, 
The  doer,  pity  true. 


STAR-DUST.  19 

Oh  !  should  a  planet  fair, 

When  thus  it  sees  its  wrong, 
Dart  gleams  of  angry  glare, 

Beaming  with  vengeance  strong ; 

Or  seek  to  leave  its  place 

To  scorch  the  unkind  wave, 
No  longer  could  we  trace 

A  star,  but  Passion's  slave  ! 

The  picture  in  the  sea 

Then  would  not  be  untrue  ; 
No  longer  would  there  be 

A  holy  star  to  view  ; 

But  broken  gleams  indeed  ! 

A  scattered,  fitful  light, 
From  its  calm  beauty  freed, 

And  lowered  from  its  hicjht. 


20  STAR-DUST. 

Go,  be  a  star,  my  friend  ; 

Shine  holy,  high,  and  calm  : 
If  vengeance  must  descend, 

Oh  !  let  the  stronger  arm 

x 

Of  Him  who  made  the  sea, 
And  the  bright  stars  to  shine, 

The  just  avenger  be ; 

His  arm,  and  never  thine  ! 

God,  beneath  the  star-light,  nightly, 
Help  us  all  to  pray  arightly  ; 

Father,  make  us  STARS  to  be 
SJiining  evermore  for  THEE. 


WAS    IT    A    DREAM? 

A  FEELING  of  weariness  had  crept  into  my  heart, 
and  I  stole  from  the  midst  of  gathered  friends,  into 
the  garden.  The  sim  had  set  cloudlessly,  and  I 
knew  the  night  was  clear.  I  longed  to  look  up  at 
the  bright  stars,  and  to  have  them  speak  to  me ; 
their  language  was  dearer  and  more  soothing  to  my 
spirit  than  the  merry  jests  and  sportive  words  of 
the  gay  and  light-hearted  ones  within.  The  stars 
have  ever  been  my  most  intimate  friends ;  from,  a 
little  child  they  have  comforted  me  when  sad,  and 
taught  me  many  a  beautiful  lesson.  When  yearn 
ing  for  sympathy,  realizing  how  impossible  it  is  for 
dearest  earthly  friends  perfectly  to  comprehend  one 
another ;  when  oppressed  with  an  intense  feeling 
that  I  longed  to  share  with  some  one,  but  could  not; 


22  STAR-DUST. 

that  I  longed  to  utter,  but  knew  not  how  ;  when  I 
would  look  on  other  people,  and  wonder  if  their 
calm,  tranquil  faces,  often  cold  and  passive  ones, 
concealed  such  a  world  as  I  found  within  myself; 
and  whether  the  hearts  of  grown  people  beat  the 
same  as  those  of  little  children ;  and  if  so,  how 
they  lived  through  it  —  for  I  was  sure  my  own 
would  burst  before  it  grew  to  womanhood ;  then 
I  would  seek  the  stars,  and  hold  communion  with 
them ;  in  the  interchange  of  sympathy,  most  elo 
quent  and  tender,  I  would  be  subdued;  beneath 
their  lofty  calmness  I,  too,  would  grow  calm.  Do 
you  call  this  a  childish  fancy?  Then  I  pity 
you,  for  it  is  truth.  I  pity  any  one  who  has 
not  yet  found  that  the  great  heart  of  Nature 
beats  responsively  to  his.  I  believe  in  the  deepest 
and  most  perfect  communion  with  every  thing 
that  our  Father  has  made.  You  may  call  them 


STAR-DUST.  23 

instruments,  if  you  will,  upon  which  He  plays 
most  skillfully ;  it  is  His  voice  which  speaks  from 
the  trees,  the  flowers,  the  birds,  and  the  stars.  His 
spirit  pervades  all ;  thus  every  thing  in  nature  be 
comes  a  channel  of  communication  between  earth 
and  heaven.  The  stars  are  the  golden  speaking-trum 
pets  through  which  our  Father  utters  many  a  word 
of  blessing  and  comfort ;  many  a  beautiful,  glorious 
truth,  which  our  spirits  hear,  understand,  and  reply 
to,  but  which  our  tongues  can  never  speak. 

As  I  said,  in  my  weariness  I  sought  the  garden, 
to  be  again  soothed  and  comforted  by  the  stars ;  but 
to  my  surprise  and  grief,  not  one  was  visible. 
What  could  it  mean  ?  The  sky  was  clear,  no  dark 
cloud  threatened  a  storm  ;  no  mist  or  vapor  floated 
through  the  atmosphere,  to  obscure  their  light ;  yet 
not  one  could  I  discern.  Disappointed  and  deeply 
grieved,  I  turned  to  the  flowers,  to  whisper  awhile 


24  STAR-DUST. 

with  them.  But  their  heads  were  bowed,  their 
petals  shriveled,  their  green  leaves  were  curled,  and 
so  crisp  from  excessive  dry  ness,  that,  as  I  touched 
them,  they  crumbled  to  pieces.  Not  a  drop  of  dew 
had  fallen,  and  the  poor,  thirsty  blossoms  were 
parched  and  dying.  "0  Earth  !  Earth  !"  I  moaned, 
"  what  new  woe  hath  befallen  thee  ?  The  cloud  of 
sin  raised  by  our  first  parents,  had  not  power  to 
vail  the  starlight ;  nor  even  the  blood  of  Abel,  as  it 
dyed  thee  to  red  clay,  could  blight  thy  flowers. 
What  strange  enormity  has  been  committed,  that 
the  stars  should  refuse  to  gaze  on  thee,  the  dews 
shrink  from  falling  on  thee,  arid  thy  blossoms 
wither  in  dread  upon  thy  bosom  ?"  While  thus 
lamenting,  a  little  star  trembled  forth  ;  not  bright 
and  eloquent,  as  was  its  wont,  but  pale  and  mute  ; 
until,  as  I  passionately  addressed  it,  its  gloamings 


STAR-DUST.  25 

alternately  deepened  and  whitened,  as  moved  by  its 
own  heart-throbbings.     At  length  it  spoke  : 

"  The  heavens  were  so  transparent,  the  atmo 
sphere  so  clear,  and  earth  so  very  beautiful  at  sun 
set,  that  I  thought,  when  I  peeped  down,  our  whole 
golden  choir  would  be  out,  attired  in  their  most 
resplendent  robes,  to  light  earth's  darkened  places, 
and  to  chant  to  those  to  whom  wre  nightly  give  the 
call — '•He  that  hath  ears  to  hear,  let  him  hear.''  And 
that  I}  such  a  little  star,  and  so  dim  when  compared 
to  my  brilliant  sisters,  could  not  be  missed  among 
so  many.  I  thought  that  if  I  rested  this  one  eve 
ning  none  would  know  it,  none  would  miss  the  one 
small  ray  that  I  am  only  capable  of  emitting.  I 
knew  not,  until  roused  by  your  voice  of  lamentation, 
that  all  my  sister  stars  had  thought  and  felt  the 
same  ;  that  earth  was  dark  and  lonely,  and  that  the 
strange,  mysterious  thing,  that  living,  breathing 


26  S  T  AR-DU  ST. 

dust,  called  man,  who  is  a  greater  marvel  to  us  than 
we  can  ever  be  to  him,  whom  we  watch  over  with 
the  angels,  often  forming  a  golden  stairway,  so  that 
they  can  step  from  star  to  star  with  ease,  as  they  go 
to  minister  to  that  '  clay  and  a  breath.'  I  knew  not 
that  these  mysterious  objects  of  our  united  care  and 
love,  had  listened  in  vain  for  our  nightly  melody, 
to  soothe  them  to  slumber,  or  that  the  wakeful 
spirits  amid  them  had  grown  weary  of  waiting  for 
us  to  come  and  sing  snatches  of  the  glorious  har 
mony  which  lifts  the  listening  soul  above  its  clay. 
I  knew  not  this,  and  now  I  mourn  that  I  wandered 
from  my  place  ;  for  my  ray  might  have  cheered  one 
little  flower,  pierced  one  gloomy  spot,  attracted  one 
spirit,  causing  it  to  look  up,  and  think  of  the  One 
who  formed  us  both.  I  mourn  !  I  mourn  !" 

Just  then  a  drop  of  dew  descended,  and  as  it  fell 
it  echoed  sorrowfully  the  lament  of  the  star — "  I 


STAR-DUST.  27 

mourn !  I  mourn !  I  questioned,  What  was  I 
among  so  many  ?  Who  could  miss  a  single  dew- 
drop  among  the  myriads  that  nightly  fall  ?  One 
tiny  blade  of  grass,  I  said,  was  all  I  had  to  water ; 
and  surely  dew  enough  will  be  upon  the  earth,  to 
nourish  that,  even  if  I  tarry  here  ;  but  I,  too,  heard 
your  moan  of  sadness,  and  I  hastened  to  my  little 
spire  of  grass  ;  but,  behold,  I  am  too  late!  it  is  dead  ! 
What  account  can  I  give  in  the  morning,  when  the 
sun's  first  ray  calls  me  home  to  bear  tidings  of  my 
mission  ?  It  is  unfulfilled  !  unfulfilled  !  I  mourn ! 
I  mourn  !" 

Suddenly  the  stars  all  glimmered,  I  heard  the 
dew  dropping  fast  and  thick  around  me,  the  flowers 
raised  their  drooping  heads,  their  leaves  uncurled, 
the  fading  grass  revived,  and  the  fragrance,  the  star 
light,  and  the  dew,  chanted  around  me  in  a  soft, 
rich  chorus : 


28  STAR-DUST. 

Maiden,  'neath  our  golden  trembling, 
'Neath  the  dropping  of  the  dew — 

Pardon  us  for  once  dissembling, 
So  to  teach  this  truth  to  you. 

Not  a  star  has  light  for  hiding, 
Ilowe'er  dim  that  light  may  be, 

If  within  its  place  abiding, 
It  will  shine  for  somebody. 

Not  one  drop  of  dew  is  vainly 
Fashioned  by  its  Maker's  hand  ; 

He  who  forms  it  seeth  plainly 
If  it  keepeth  His  command. 

Thou  a  little  star  art,  Maiden, 
Yery  dim  amid  the  rest ; 

Yet  with  mission  art  thou  laden, 
As  the  brightest  and  the  best. 


STAR-DUST.  29 

Thou  a  drop  of  dew  art,  Maiden, 

Very  fleeting,  very  small  ; 
Yet  with  mission  art  thou  laden, 

As  the  greatest  of  them  all. 

Little  star,  who  art  thou  cheering 

In  the  sorrow-darkened  earth  ? 
Who  is  blest  by  thine  appearing  ? 

Who  rejoices  in  thy  birth? 

Drop  of  dew,  is  there  one  flower 
Thou  hast  soothed  or  comforted  ? 

Ilast  thou  used  thy  little  power 
To  sustain  one  drooping  head? 

Let  no  time  be  lost  in  mourning 

That  thou  art  not  something  grand  ; 
What  riyht  hast  thou  for  Sclf-ic 


Fashioned  thus  by  God's  own  hand? 
3 


30  STAR-DUST. 

What  can  Sun  or  Moon  be  doing 
More  than  any  little  star, 

But  God's  holy  will  pursuing, 
Finding  what  their  missions  are  ? 

Then  be  faithful  in  thy  calling, 
Howe'er  lowly  it  may  be  ; 

For  star-shining  and  dew-falling 
Surely  will  bless  somebody. 


[STAR-G-LEANING-S. 
i. 

THE    COMMAND. 

•'  Ye  are  the  light  of  the  world." 

'•Let  your  light  so  shine  before  men,  that  they,  seeing  your  good  works,  may 
glorify  your  Father  which  is  in  Heaven." 

How  high  !  how  pure  they  seem  ! 

So  far  beyond  all  strife  ! 
No  fitful,  wayward  gleam 

Disturbs  their  calm,  still  life. 

Their  steady,  constant  glow, 

So  peaceful  and  serene, 
With  what  is  here  below 

Strange  contrast  forms,  I  ween. 


32  STAR-DUST. 

Oh  !  can  ye  know,  bright  stars, 
Of  all  that  passes  here  ? 

Of  all  the  sin  that  mars 
The  life  upon  this  sphere  ? 

And  yet,  perchance  ye  know, 
And  shine  on  still  the  same, 

To  mitigate  our  woe — 

To  make  our  pathway  plain. 

Ye  know  of  all  our  strife — 
Of  all  our  weariness  ; 

Of  all  wrought  in  our  life 
Of  anguish  and  distress. 

And  yet  shine  on  !     I  deem 
We  who  are  called  to  be 

Lights  in  this  world  to  gleam, 
A  truth  can  learn  from  ye. 


S  T  A  U  -DUST.  33 

But  we  are  very  weak — 

]STot  calm  and  high  and  pure  : 

Our  dimness,  who  may  speak  ? 
Our  failings,  who  endure  ? 

We  can  not  rise  above 

To  shine  upon  the  earth  ; 
But  in  it  we  must  move 

Encompassed  by  the  dearth. 

And  would  ye  be  as  bright, 

Brought  down  to  dwell  with  us? 

With  sin  and  its  dread  blight  ? 
Still  would  your  light  shine  thus  ? 

And  yet  ye  may  have  woe 

Like  ours,  dark  and  deep  ; 
Ye  your  own  sorrows  know— 

Your  own  secrets  keep. 


34  STAR-DUST. 

Likewise  its  joy  and  woe ; 

Both  are  a  mystery  deep, 
Each  Christian  heart  may  know, 

Each  Christian  heart  may  keep, 

And  yet  the  while  look  round 
And  see  one  more  forlorn  ; 

In  sin  so  firmly  bound, 
That  others  gaze  with  scorn  ; 

Or  shrinking,  turn  away 

With  thought  of  hateful  dye, 

Which  actions  oft  betray, 
"Far  holier  am  I!" 

Then  burns  the  "  shining  light,"1 
As  stars  that  wax  not  dim 

Before  a  woeful  sight, 

The  Christian  looks  on  him. 


STAR-DUST.  35 

His  own  grief  laid  aside, 

He  looks  to  soothe  and  cheer ; 

To  aid,  to  gently  chide, 
To  rouse  yet  banish  fear. 

lie  looks,  'mid  weariness 

And  strife  with  his  own  sin, 
In  ways  of  holiness 

A  brother's  soul  to  win. 

Oh  !  let  us  this  thought  keep, 

Won  from  the  stars  to-night ; 
They  gaze  on  darkness  deep, 

Nor  shrink  to  give  their  light. 

'Tis  this  we  greatly  need  : 

A  love  for  those  most  prone 
To  err — and  hearts  to  bleed 

For  sorrows  not  our  own. 


36  STAR-DUST. 

Oh  !  more  of  sympathy, 

To  guide,  and  soothe,  and  bless  ; 
No  "  shining  light"  can  be 

Without  this  loveliness. 


STAR-G-LEANING-S. 
ii. 

THE    PROMISE. 

"They  that  turn  many  to  righteousness,  shall  shine  as  the  stars  forever  and 
ever." 

Ay,  calm,  and  pure,  and  high  are  ye, 

Stars  beautiful  and  bright. 
But  very  low  and  sinful  we, 

Yet  both  are  in  the  night ! 

And  while  ye  shine  within  the  dark, 

Most  blessed  truths  to  teach, 
So  must  we  yield  our  glow-worm  spark, 

Some  darker  soul  to  reach. 
2* 


38  STAR-DUST. 

And  while  ye  gaze  on  all  our  sin, 
Nor  sickened,  turn  away, 

So  for  the  erring,  room  within 
Our  hearts,  to  love  and  pray. 

If  thus  the  pure  Command  we  keep, 
To  "  let  our  light  so  shine," 

The  Promise  we  shall  surely  reap ; 
Surely  it  is  Divine. 

And  so,  whene'er  we  gaze  above, 
The  heavens  seem  enwrought 

In  golden  characters  of  love, 
With  this  one  cheering  thought. 

Not  always  weak,  not  always  dim, 

Not  always  sinful  we  ; 
The  light  that  now  burns  low  within. 

Shall  one  day  glow  like  ye ! 


STAR-DUST.  39 

With  these  deep  yearnings  fully  met 

That  haunt  us  night  and  day, 
Each  deed  of  wrong,  each  vain  regret, 

And  strife  all  passed  away. 

The  struggles  o'er  to  do  and  be 

That  which  we  best  conceive  ; 
The  struggles,  icitlwut  victory  ! 

O'er  which  our  hearts  now  grieve. 


b' 


The  love  made  pure  which  now  we  keep 

Shut  up  too  closely  here  ; 
Dear  God  !  so  loving  we,  yet  weak, 

We  wound  the  souls  most  dear ! 

Ah  !  sad  were  we;  ah  !  sad  indeed, 
Were  not  this  promise  heard  ; 

But  now  there  is  a  joy  decreed 
For  all  who  know  the  Word. 


40  STAR-DUST. 

For  all  who  watch  the  feet  that  stray, 

To  win  them  tenderly 
To  Him,  who  said,  "  I  am  the  Way  !" 
"Come,  weary  ones,  to  Me!" 

A  joy  !  for  He  the  Sun  shall  give 
The  light  for  which  we  yearn  ; 

And  in  His  presence  we  shall  live, 
Forever  brightly  burn. 

"Shine  as  the  stars  /"  so.  pure  and  calm, 

From  every  evil  freed  ; 
Upheld  by  His  Almighty  arm, 
Fullness  of  bliss  indeed  ! 

Dear  Saviour,  so  unworthy  we 
Of  all  the  new  world's  bliss, 

So  weak,  we  can  but  cry  to  tliee, 
God  help  us  now  in  ill  '.<?  / 


A     STAB-THOUGHT. 

A  STAR  peeped  out,  'mid  the  heavens  blue, 
And  looked  on  the  sea,  itself  to  view  ; 
But  the  restless  wave,  and  foaming  tide, 
The  lovely  form  of  the  star  belied. 

I  gazed  on  both,  and  my  spirit  grieved, 
And  murmured  low  the  truth  it  received. 
Saviour,  'tis  thus  thou  lookest  on  me, 
Thou  art  the  star,  my  heart  is  the  sea. 

Thou  gazest  down,  pure,  lovely,  and  bright, 
For  darkened  souls  to  reflect  thy  light ; 
But  oh  !  what  trace  of  thee  can  be  seen 
In  this  restless,  surging,  fretted  stream? 


42  STAB-DUST. 

"Pis  true  that  a  passer-by  might  know, 
From  gleamy  fragments  tossed  to  and  fro, 
That  light  of  some  kind  was  shining  o'er 
The  sin-crested  waves  ;  but  nothing  more. 

I  see  in  a  dream  a  struggliog  bark, 

Shaken  and  driven  o'er  waters  dark, 

By  a  tempest  fierce  ;  at  thought  of  death 

The  crew  stand,  trembling,  with  failing  breath. 

Yet  'mid  the  roar  of  the  wild  wind's  sweep, 
The  lashing  and  din  of  the  raging  deep, 
'Mid  the  quick  rolling  the  bark  must  keep, 
Lies  One  in  a  calm  and  peaceful  sleep  ! 

But  He,  whom  the  tempest  could  not  wake, 
Whose  slumber  no  howling  storm  could  break, 
Doth  stir  his  limbs  and  unclose  his  eye, 
At  the  low  sound  of  a  mournful  cry. 


STAR- DUST.  43 

"Master,  we  perish!  dost  thou  not  care?" 
lie  heard,  and  answered  at  once  their  prayer. 
Calmly  he  slept;  as  calmly  he  rose, 
And  gave  to  the  sea  the  same  repose. 

The  heaving  ocean,  like  a  pure  rill, 
Displayed  clear  each  ray  of — "  Peace,  be  still !" 
It  held,  unbroken,  the  image  bright 
Of  the  Star  that  gazed  in  placid  light- 
Saviour,  my  heart  is  that  stormy  sea  : 
The  gale  of  sin  rises  fearfully ; 
The  waves  perpetual  motion  keep, 
As  swayed  beneath  its  powerful  sweep. 

It  trembles  in  vain  beneath  thy  light, 
To  display  thine  image  pure  aright ; 
Behold  it  lying  all  broken  there; 
Speak  to  me,  Saviour  !  dost  thou  not  care  '/ 


44  STAR-DUST. 

Just  as  them  spake  to  the  stormy  sea, 
Saviour,  I  pray  thee,  so  speak  to  me. 
Thou  only  to  sin  canst  say :  Be  still! 
Subdue  my  heart  to  thy  holy  will. 

Rebuke  and  subdue,  till  shining  clear, 
Thou  wilt  be  perfectly  imaged  here  ; 
That  all  who  gaze  may  be  won  to  love 
The  beautiful  "  MORNING  STAR"  above. 


ANOTHER    STAR-THOUG-HT. 

SOFTLY  on  my  heart  it  falleth, 
Like  the  dew  upon  a  flower; 

Gently  to  my  soul  it  calleth, 

Yet  with  voice  of  sweetest  power  : 

Go,  be  star-like ;  live  the  thought 

That  thy  spirit  now  hath  caught. 

And  whilst  thou  the  thought  art  living, 
Strive  to  work  it  into  sound  ; 

So,  perchance,  thou  rnay'st  be  giving 
Spirits  in  the  world  around, 

What  the  stars  now  give  to  thee, 

Yearnings  not  to  seem,  but  be! 


46  STAR- DUST. 

Than  the  stars  what  smaller  seemeth  ? 

Can  each  little  point  of  light, 
Which  Avithin  the  heavens  gleameth, 

Blessing  us  with  its  dear  sight ; 
Can  each  be  a  wondrous  sun, 
Like  the  one  we  call  our  own  ? 

Even  so ;  and  yet  this  teaching 
Ne'er  was  whispered  by  a  star  ; 

Never  they  by  overreaching 
Strive  to  tell  us  what  they  are. 

Content  to  be,  they  nightly  gleam, 

Caring  little  what  they  seem. 

They  have  seen  our  wistful  gazing, 
And  our  strange  conjectures  heard  ; 

They  have  borne  our  poet-praising, 
In  each  diminutive  word 


ST  A.R-DUST.  47 

From  "  Twinkle,  twinkle,  little  star, 
How  I  wonder  what  you  are  !" 

• 

To  Browning's  "  golden  arteries," 
And  Milton's  "  gems  of  heaven  ;" 

They've  heard,  too,  grand  discoveries, 
Often  made  by  wisest  men  ; 

Yet,  unmoved,  they  nightly  gleam, 

Caring  little  what  they  seem. 

Go,  be  star-like ;  ever  gleaming 
In  the  sphere  God  gives  to  thec ; 

Never  thinking  of  thy  seeming 
Simply  striving  but  to  be. 

What  thou  "  thinkest  in  thy  heart," 

What  thou  art  to  God,  thou  art! 


A    VOICE   FROM   THE   STABS. 

I  WAS  in  a  sober  mood, 

When  thought  widely  ranges  ; 
I  thought  of  evil  and  of  good, 
I  thought  upon  life's  changes. 

I  looked  upward  to  the  stars ; 

Said  I,  rather  sadly, 
No  such  change  your  quiet  mars, 

Shining  ever  gladly. 

Ye  are  constant,  ye  are  true, 
We  are  changing  ever ; 

Each  day  addeth  something  new, 
Something  old- to  sever. 


STAR-DUST.  49 

Homes  and  friends,  however  dear, 
Are  both  left  and  leaving  ; 

What  to-day  is  for  good  cheer, 
Next  day  is  for  grieving. 

Mother,  sitting  by  the  bed, 
Smiles  at  her  child's  sleeping  ; 

Next  day,  and  the  babe  is  dead! 
Mother,  she  is  weeping ! 

Ye  are  quiet,  changeless,  true ; 

We  are  changing  ever  ; 
Each  day  addeth  something  ne\v, 

Something  old  to  sever. 

The  planet-stars  made  answer,  softly,  thus: 
"Quiet,  but  not  changeless,  as  you  deem  us; 
Ay,  quiet,  for  our  changing  is  God's  will. 
Quiet,  because  'our  strength  is  to  sit  still;' 


50  STAR-DUST. 

Yet  as  we  quietly  but  daily  turn, 

Our  lights  cease  not  the  while  to  shine  and  burn. 

This  also  note:  throughout  this  constant  change 

We  do  not  carelessly  or  lightly  range ; 

But  heedful  we,  that  as  each  day  is  done, 

To  have  pressed  onward,  NEARER  TO  THE  SUN  !" 


A     STARRY     WHISPER. 

WHILE  sitting  in  the  shadowy  twilight 
A  mournful  murmur  floated  round  me, 

As  twilight  softly  deepened  into  night, 
The  stars  who  heard  it,  answered  gently. 

Whether  from  my  own  heart  the  sound  arose,  ' 

Or  by  the  breeze  was  borne  to  me — who  knows  ? 

The  way  is  long.     I  am  already  weary  ; 

And  it  is  growing  dark  ;  and  I  am  cold. 
Oh  !  must  my  pathway  always  be  thus  dreary  ? 

Growing  still  darker  until  I  am  old  ? 

Ah  !  when  I  started  in  the  early  morning, 
The  sun  was  shining  beautiful  and  bright; 


52  STAR-DUST. 

Sweet  flowers  my  every  footstep  were  adorning, 
Blessing  me  with  their  fragrance  and  their  light. 

But  now  the  sun  is  slowly,  surely  sinking ; 

My  flowers  are  closing ;  one  by  one  they  die. 
And  in  this  dimness,  1  am  sad  from  thinking 

What  heavy  darkness  soon  will  round  me  lie. 

And  I  must  travel  onward  in  the  midnight. 
So  weary,  and  so  chilled,  and  so  alone, 

And  so  afraid  ;  while  ever  in  their  fearful  might, 
Will  rise  those  yearnings  I  have  ever  known. 

God  help  me !  for  the  way  seems  long  and  dreary, 
I  do  not  love  the  lonely  and  the  dark. 

Of  sunshine  and  of  flowers  I  never  weary. 
What  voice  is  that?  a  gentle  whisper,  hark! 

Onward,  onward,  onward  go! 
Though  thy  sun  is  sinking  low  : 


.ST  ,v  II  -DUST.  53 

Though  thy  flowers  all  shall  die, 
Onward,  God  will  hear  thy  cry  ; 
Onward,  though  it  bo  alone, 
Though  the  way  is  all  unknown. 
Onward,  though  the  weariness 
Doth  thy  fainting  spirit  press  ; 
Onward  through  the  midnight  gloom, 
That  will  close  around  thee  soon. 
Onward,  'tis  but  twilight  now, 
Darker  shades  will  cloud  thy  brow  ; 
Deeper  gloom  o'erspread  thy  sky, 
Then  thou'lt  know  God  hears  thy  cry. 
First  the  sunlight  lie  doth  give, 
In  which  joyously  ye  live ; 
But  when  this  light  wanes  away, 
When  the  night  succeeds  the  day, 
When  the  twilight  ray  hath  gone, 
And  ve  think  vc  arc  forlorn. 


54  STAR-DUST. 

Look  up  !  we  will  come  to  bless 
Midnight,  with  our  loveliness. 
Ye  can  not  see  us  in  the  day, 
Not  while  gleams  one  sunny  ray  ; 
Nor  while  twilight  lingers  near. 
Darker  must  the  sky  appear. 
But  when  comes  the  deep,  still  night, 
Then  will  shine  our  starry  light. 
Catch  from  us  this  golden  spark, 
Stars  shine  only  in  the  dark  f 

Remember,  when  thy  day  is  done, 
When  God  takes  away  thy  sun, 
It  is  to  give  thee  other  light, 
So,  thy  midnight  shall  be  Iriyht, 


FALLEN     S/TAR. 

"  MY  soul  kept  up  too  much  light 
Under  my  eyelids  for  the  night," 

for  it  was  the  time  for  high  and  mystical  revealings ; 
the  hour  which,  beyond  all  others,  possesses  a  mys 
terious  yet  mighty  influence  over  the  waking  soul, 
"  the  middle  watch  of  a  summer  night." 

No  other  hour  of  any  season  can  rival  this.  Its 
serene  yet  intense  beauty,  its  chastened  glory,  its 
deep,  musical  silence,  is  unequaled. 

Speak  not  of  the  joys  of  winter  evenings,  in  com 
parison  with  those  of  radiant,  glorious,  yet  tranquil 
summer.  Bright,  soft,  warm  ;  glowing  with  light, 
fragrance,  melody,  and  beauty,  Summer,  I  have 


5-3  STAR-DUST. 

no  words  with  which  to  praise  thec,  nor  the  God 

who  gave  so  rich  a  blessing  as  a  clear,  calm,  sum  • 

mer  night ! 
All  was  still.     I  stole  to  the  opened  window,  and 

gazed  until  my  soul  was  "  steeped  in  beauty."  So 
still,  that  it  seemed  as  if  heaven  might  be  slumber 
ing  too,  and  the  nightly  miracle  of  stars  were  the 
dreams  of  the  sleeping  angels.  I  gazed  until  the 
strange,  deep  spell  the  moonlight  ever  weaves,  en 
tranced  me;  until  I  grew  bewildered,  as  it  were, 
and  tried  in  vain  to  draw  a  line  of  distinction  be 
tween  the  actual  and  the  ideal — between  illusions 
and  reality. 

All  was  one  grand  mystery.  What  in  the  day 
light  we  call  real  and  practical,  shrunk  into  insig 
nificance;  while  nothing  seemed  more  tangible, 
nearer  to  Truth,  than  those  very  dreams,  which, 


STAR-DUST.  57 

like  the  Yuca  Filamentosa,  appear  so  exceedingly 
shabby  by  sunlight,  but  when  touched  by  the 
moon's  softer  rays,  become  beautiful. 

Mystery !  mystery  !  Moonlight  said  it ;  starlight 
breathed  it ;  the  very  silence  uttered  it ;  my  own 
soul  echoed  it.  What  was  I?  What  rank  did  I 
hold  in  the  scale  of  universal  being? 

What  pure  intelligences  were  above  me  ? 

How  closely  was  I  allied  to  the  animals  that 
grazed  the  earth  ?  How  nearly  to  the  angelic  race 
who  worship  the  Holy  One  in  perfect  purity  ? 

Mystery  !  mystery  !  Were  it  not  for  that  one 
great  truth  to  which  the  soul  clings  so  intensely — 
there  is  a  God — it  would  soon  reel  and  stagger  into 
insanity.  It  is  the  soul's  axis ;  around  this  it  re 
volves  in  perfect  security. 

To  one  who  denies  the  existence  of  the  cvcrlast- 


58  STAR-DUST 

ing  God,  or  who  doubts  his  greatness,  glory,  power, 
or  goodness,  I  would  say :  "  Lift  up  your  eyes  on 
high,  and  behold  who  Lath  created  these  things ; 
that  bringeth  out  their  host  by  number,  lie  calleth 
them  all  by  names  :  by  the  greatness  of  his  might, 
for  that  He  is  strong  in  power,  not  one  faileth." 

I  would  bid  him  keep  an  unbroken  watch,  when 
the  "earth  is  dark,  but  the  heavens  are  bright," 
and  surely  before  the  dawn  of  the  morning  light  he 
would  be  "  lost  in  wonders  so  sublime,"  that  he 
would  exclaim:  "Great  things  doth  He,  which  we 
can  not  comprehend.  Thine,  0  Lord  !  is  the  great 
ness,  and  the  glory,  and  the  majesty;  for  all  that  is 
in  heaven  and  earth  is  thine.  Thou  art  great,  and 
doest  wondrous  things.  Thou  art  God  alone.  Let 
all  the  earth  fear  the  Lord,  let  all  the  inhabitants  of 
the  world  stand  in  awe  of  him.5* 


STAR-DUST.  59 

In  the  midst  of  my  dim  and  dreamy  musing,  a 
star  fell  suddenly.  I  traced  it.  Soon  it  lay  quiver 
ing  and  sparkling  on  a  flower-bed,  in  my  garden. 
I  was  by  it  in  a  moment;  bnt  what  was  my  aston 
ishment  to  see  it  gradually  assume  the  form  of  a 
being  like  myself,  only  no  larger  in  its  dimensions 
than  a  child's  little  finger  ;  yet  it  was  perfect,  and 
most  beautiful.  Dewy  eyes,  and  hair  of  star-beams, 
pearl-white  teeth,  vermilion  lips,  and  pale,  rose- 
tinted  cheeks.  Her  raiment  was  of  that  transparent 
white,  as  if  woven  of  spray  from  a  fountain.  With 
buoyant  steps  she  sprung  from  flower  to  flower, 
rejoicing  in  the  first  flush  of  her  young  and  beauti 
ful  life.  I  watched  her  revel  in  her  mirthfulness  for 
a  long  time,  and  wondered  if  the  tiny  creature 
would  never  weary.  Presently  I  saw  her  footsteps 
flag  and  her  cheek  pale,  but  her  countenance  was 


60  STAR-DUST. 

still  radiant  with,  happiness  as  she  sought  a  dew- 
drop  for  a  cushion.  It  broke  beneath  her  weight ! 
She  appeared  surprised,  but,  nothing  daunted,  she 
turned  towards  the  tulip,  and  looked  up  at  it  ap- 
pealingly  ;  but  the  flower  refused  to  lower  its  gold 
en  head  an  inch,  and  Fallen  Star  could  not  climb  so 
high.  With  a  look  of  singular  grief  and  disappoint 
ment,  she  seated  herself  upon  a  spire  of  grass,  the 
bright,  green  blade  was  delighted  with  its  burden, 
but  Fallen  Star  soon  found  that  it  was  too  weak  for 
her  support.  More  grieved  and  weary  still,  she  saw 
a  caterpillar  slowly  walking  in  its  sleep ;  so  Fallen 
Star  thought  that  its  fine  yellow  hair  would  form  a 
comfortable  seat,  and  she  could  have  a  pleasant 
ride,  but  the  caterpillar  shook  her  off  indignantly. 

Poor  Fallen   Star !    what  was  she  to  do  ?    So 
weary  and  so  weak,  where  was  she  to  rest  ?     Was 


STAR- DUST.  01 

this  the  life  that  she  had  so  longed  for?  Did  all 
the  dwellers  upon  earth  so  soon  grow  weary,  and 
yearn  so  for  a  rest  that  they  could  not  iind  ?  But 
ah  !  there  is  a  violet — the  world's  sweetest  flower — 
blossoming  in  sunshine  or  in  shade.  The  first  to 
welcome  us,  the  last  to  leave  us.  I  have  had  them 
linger  in  their  beauty,  I  have  gathered  them  from 
my  garden  on  the  last  day  of  Autumn,  when  all 
else  lay  withered.  If  I  have  a  favorite  flower,  it  is 
the  Violet.  It  has  ever  been  to  me  a  tender,  beau 
tiful,  and  faithful  friend.  And  would  the  gentle 
violet  refuse  a  shelter  to  poor  little  Fallen  Star  ? 

Never!  So  Fallen  .Star  crept  timidly  amid  its 
green  leaves,  and  up  into  the  fragrant  flower-cup, 
until  it  nestled  in  the  very  heart  of  the  lovely  and 
gracious  violet.  Then  how  she  trembled  with  de 
light!  flow  the  color  came  to  her  pale  cheeks! 


62  STAR- DUST. 

Oh  !  what  a  deep,  sweet  rest  was  hers.  And  I  left 
her  lying  there,  with  her  lips  parted  in  a  smile  of 
exquisite  joy,  her  tiny  form  quivering  with  the  in 
tense  rapture  of  loving  and  being  loved ;  of  having 
found  a  home  in  a  strong,  pure,  loving  heart. 

Yes,  I  left  little  Fallen  Star  to  rest. 

Presently  I  came  again.  I  could  not  stay  long 
from  such  beauty ;  but  oh  I  what  a  change !  The 
violet  had  perished  suddenly.  I  raised  its  drooping 
head  most  tenderly ;  it  was  quite  dead ;  no  effort 
could  revive  it.  The  first  thrill  of  anguish,  the  first 
violent  emotion  of  grief  with  little  Fallen  Star  was 
over,  yet  she  was  greatly  changed.  She  was  mute 
and  pale ;  the  restless  joyfulness  of  her  early  life 
had  passed  away.  Still  she  wore  no  look  of  weari 
ness  and  disappointment,  such  as  I  thought  to  sec. 
I  remembered,  too,  that  when  I  first  beheld  her,  her 


S  T  A  R  -DUS  T  .  (j;j 

gaze  was  earthward  only.  Now,  her  eyes  were 
raised  almost  constantly  to  the  place  from  whence 
she  had  fallen,  with  a  look  of  earnest  hope  and  trust ; 
there  was  an  unntterable  yearning  in  her  gaze,  yet 
it  did  not  destroy  the  serenity  of  her  sweet  face  ; 
her  lips  were  serious,  but  her  eyes  seemed  to  smile 
from  the  overflowing  of  peace  in  her  heart. 

Little  Fallen  Star  did  not  play  any  more.  She 
did  not  twist  together  the  blades  of  grass,  or  scatter 
the  pollen  from  the  anthers,  as  I  saw  her  do  in  her 
first  glad  frolics,  nor  did  she  sit  down  in  mournful 
idleness ;  but  patiently  her  little  fingers  gathered 
the  seeds  that  had  ripened,  and  were  just  ready  to 
fall,  and  scattered  them  where  no  seed  had  been 
sown ;  she  raised,  and  bound  up  the  blades  of  grass 
that  had  been  trodden  under  foot  and  bruised  in 
the  day  time  ;  and  where  a  {lower  was  overburdened 


G4  STAR-DUST. 

with  dew,  she  would  relieve  it  by  carrying  the 
precious  drops  to  some  tiny  blossoms  that  were 
overshadowed  by  larger  plants,  and  were  parched, 
and  thirsting  for  the  refreshing  moisture. 

It  was  thus  that  little  Fallen  Star  passed  the  re 
mainder  of  the  night.  But  when  "  the  earth  at  day- 
dawn  lifted  up  her  head  out  of  her  sleep,  star-watch 
ed,  to  face  the  sun,"  r,  starry  brilliant,  glimmering  in 
the  blue  above,  showed  that  Fallen  Star  had  return 
ed  to  her  home  on  high ;  but  the  memory  of  the 
truth  she  murmured  as  she  left  us,  the  great  and 
beautiful  truth  that  she  had  learned  duriug  her 
earthly  pilgrimage,  may  bring  a  blessing  to  many  a 
weary  heart,  and  aching  soul : 

"  TO  BLESS,  IS  TO  BE  BLEST." 


LIBRARY 


000618795 


